England produced what was arguably their most impressive display under head coach Thomas Tuchel, delivering a devastating attacking performance to thrash Croatia in their UEFA Nations League fixture in Rijeka.
In a match officially classified as behind closed doors as a punishment for Croatia supporters over earlier misconduct, yet attended by 6,000 schoolchildren and 100 away fans, a rampant England ran riot and humiliated Slaven Bilic’s team.
England bounced back from their opening loss to Spain at Wembley with a well-earned victory over the Czech Republic in Prague, but they reached a whole new level in dismantling Croatia, 108 days on from a 4-2 win over the same opponents at the World Cup in Dallas.
Harry Kane gave England the lead after eight minutes, ruthlessly punishing a mistake by Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol as he collected Jude Bellingham’s pass in his stride and rifled a finish high past Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic.
Bellingham made it two after 21 minutes, finishing from close range once Anthony Gordon did superbly to bring Bukayo Saka’s cross under control at the far post.
Gordon grabbed the third himself, his fourth goal in four games, heading in at the far post from Jarell Quansah’s pinpoint cross.
With England cutting through Croatia at will, Saka made it four on the stroke of half-time with another straightforward finish from Bellingham’s delivery.
England showed no let-up after the break, Kane scoring again eight minutes into the second half as he slid in at the far post to convert Elliot Anderson’s cross.
Croatia were doing themselves no favors, with more dreadful defending leaving Saka a simple task to make it 6-0, and substitute Morgan Rogers got in on the act, rounding Livakovic to give the scoreline an even more emphatic appearance.
It capped a thoroughly satisfying evening for Tuchel and England.
England have displayed far greater attacking intent since criticism rained down on Tuchel after his cautious tactics resulted in defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
Even in the loss to Spain, England posed a genuine threat, that match turning on a rare missed Kane penalty that could have put them 3-1 ahead in a game they ultimately lost 3-2.
Kane, needless to say, led from the front superbly once more against Croatia, opening the scoring, then adding his second, before setting up a goal for Saka.
Saka struck twice and could have added more, while Gordon has been a revelation since his move to Barcelona from Newcastle United.
Gordon has been England’s stand-out performer in these Nations League matches, a creator and scorer on such a hot streak that any debate about his place on the left flank is over.
The same goes for Bellingham, who oozes world-class after his spot in England’s starting line-up had been questioned before he produced an outstanding World Cup campaign. On this occasion he scored one goal and provided three assists in a virtuoso individual display.
